tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220194052018-01-05T22:51:28.958-06:00Wisconsin Badger SportsSaluting the 1896, 1897, 1901, 1906, 1912, 1952, 1959, 1962, 1993, 1998, 1999, and 2010 Big Ten football championsBadger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-12926960488429354882011-06-18T18:28:00.003-05:002011-06-18T18:32:11.607-05:00UW draws Tarheels in Big Ten/ACC ChallengeThe powers that be have apparently decided that Ohio State and Wisconsin will battle it out for top dog in the Big Ten this year. <a href="http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/051711aaa.html">Wisconsin will play at #1 UNC</a> for the marquee game of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on November 29. Ohio State will take on Duke. Evidently the honeymoon is over for Tom Izzo and the Spartans as they get unremarkable Florida State as their opponent.<br /><br />My thoughts: mark this one down in the loss column, in pen, right now.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-35536390087256306112008-07-13T14:42:00.001-05:002008-07-13T14:45:13.539-05:00The School Year of Death Rolls OnI'm going to try to get a few updates online in the form of previews over the coming weeks, and as things stand it appears that I should be full steam ahead with about a week to spare before the football season begins. All that notwithstanding, this past year has been an absolute slog through the rigors of academia. We'll turn this ship around in August. Continue to read as surprises may arrive in this space, but if you check back once a week you'll probably be fine.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-56090762596885244572008-07-07T12:32:00.003-05:002008-07-07T12:37:27.915-05:00Badger football ticket lottery results are inAnd guess who didn't get tickets? Yeah, that's right ... the guy who's been buying them on an annual basis.<br /><br />I'm going to be a fan of Badger athletics for life, of course. But it's unlikely now that I'm going to become a donor to the athletic department. I can't support an organization that takes loyalty so lightly. I suspect I'm not the only one.<br /><br />Thanks for nothing. I guess I'll go to the bar to watch all the games in my last year on campus. You know, because I can't get the Big Ten Network at home.<br /><br />This is just dysfunctional. I can understand basketball requiring a lottery, but football? Why is first come, first served so difficult? Why don't the biggest fans get first grabs?Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-77900856240765152862008-06-24T17:01:00.003-05:002008-06-24T17:36:24.580-05:00Big Ten Bloggers: Football Prognostication<a href="http://www.laketheposts.com/">Hats off to Lake the Posts</a> once again. This week: a potpourri of predictions. Regard:<br /><br /><b>Coach of the Year:</b> In an utterly uncompetitive conference, Jim Tressel emerges as the only choice to pick up this award.<br /><br /><b>Most Likely To Strike Heisman Pose:</b> the Heisman is a popularity contest based on media love, and the man who's been the recipient of a disproportionate amount of hype is <b>James Laurinaitis</b> of Ohio State. The Heisman people don't like to get away from quarterbacks and running backs, but this guy could break into the group of finalists with a flashy performance against USC and continued success throughout the season.<br /><br /><b>Last Year's Illini Will Be This Year's ???? (most improved):</b> I really don't see one. Maybe Michigan State with a couple of breaks. Maybe Purdue if Curtis Painter grows a brain. But I see Ohio State, big gap, Wisconsin/Penn State, big gap, lots of other teams, big gap, Minnesota/Northwestern.<br /><br /><b>Upset game of the year (include non-conference):</b> Probably not an upset right off the bat considering all the kinks that will need to be worked out but I could certainly see <b>Utah over Michigan</b>. <br /><br /><b>Name You'll Know In December That No One Knows In June:</b> I have to stay within my own team for this one. It'll be presumptive Badger starting quarterback <b>Allan Evridge</b>. With competent receivers, a huge target in Travis Beckum, a stable of running backs to keep the heat off of him, and the weakest crop of Big Ten quarterbacks in memory, Evridge has a shot to make an impression right away. While he appears to be another in the unbroken line of caretaker quarterbacks in Madison, this guy is game tested -- he was the starter at Kansas State a few years back, and he competed for the starting job last year right up till the very end (though Tyler Donovan wound up winning out.)<br /><br /><b>Most Likely To John McLaren (aka lose it in postgame rant):</b> If Rich Rodriguez beats him with all the wrong personnel, look for <b>Mark Dantonio</b> of Michigan State to melt down after the game. Yes, it seemed like the Spartans hired him solely as a contrast to the wackiness of John L. Smith, but listen to his comments here and tell me there's not a whole volcano of crazy bubbling up under the surface:<br /><br /><Center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3PKMzD5ogo&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3PKMzD5ogo&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><b>Highest NFL Draft Pick in 2009:</b> Travis Beckum. This question came pre-filled in with Chris Wells (thanks for the help LTP!) and I can't disagree that he -- along with like ten other Buckeyes -- would be a great pickup, but let's face it: great tight ends are tough to find, and Beckum could be one for the ages. He runs, he catches, he blocks, and most of all he does <a href="http://cardinalandwhite.blogspot.com/2008/06/badger-picture-of-day-61608.html">this</a>:<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.uwbadgers.com/photos/7392_3.jpg" width="450"></center><br /><br /><b>The Must See Game of the Year that is not Ohio State - Michigan:</b> Woe be unto he who thinks that UM/OSU is a must-see this year; Tressel is going to welcome Rich Rodriguez to the Big Ten with an unprecedented pummeling. If Tressel didn't have more class in his fingernail than Woody Hayes had in his whole body, this would 1968 all over again. The talent gap isn't huge but the change in philosophy in Ann Arbor is. Beating the Buckeyes without a quarterback? I don't think so.<br /><br />Anyway, the answer to that question is certainly <b>Ohio State-USC</b>, a game that will take place in California on Saturday, September 13. Hats off to both teams for saying "to hell with it, let's end someone's season in week three" and scheduling this amazing out of conference matchup. Ohio State has done a remarkable job of scheduling these marquee games over the past few seasons and is to be held in high esteem for doing so. USC and OSU will do battle on the field, but the real competition will happen in the clubs after the game when they use booster money to out-"make it rain" one another. (Prediction: Carroll wins!)Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-88614836068425773132008-06-19T15:55:00.000-05:002008-06-19T16:48:10.901-05:00Hello Manitowoc! Comcast and Big Ten Network reach accordBig Ten fans in a couple small pockets of Wisconsin can <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=6/19/2008&id=41875">crack a Schlitz</a>: they'll be getting the Big Ten Network on cable TV in 2008. From what I can tell, that means that customers in Manitowoc and in the Twin Cities market in western Wisconsin will receive the <a href="http://www.bigtennetwork.com/corporate/comcast.asp">Big Ten Network</a> on expanded basic cable starting on August 15, with the option to move the station to the digital tier in Spring 2009. (Viewers outside of the Big Ten states might have to buy a sports tier at that point to continue to get BTN.)<br /><br />The good news is that this is the first breakthrough between BTN and a major cable provider in Big Ten country, meaning further deals may be possible. The bad news is that in much of Wisconisn, the local cable monopoly is Charter, and Milwaukee is served by Time-Warner -- neither of which appears to be enthusiastic about picking up BTN, even at a compromised price.<br /><br />Still, there's hope that Comcast was the first in a series of dominoes to topple and that cable subscribers in America's Dairyland may soon be able to see their Badgers without switching providers.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-12863898408099950772008-06-19T14:49:00.003-05:002008-06-19T15:45:02.968-05:00Big Ten Bloggers All-Conference Team: Very Disappointing<a href="http://www.laketheposts.com/2008/06/big-ten-blogger-all-big-ten-picks.html">Here's</a> your Big Ten Bloggers Preseason All-Conference Team:<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight:bold;">1st Team All Big Ten Offense</span><br />QB - Curtis Painter, Purdue<br />RB - Beanie Wells, Ohio State<br />RB - Javon Ringer, Michigan State<br />WR - Brian Robiskie, Ohio State<br />WR - Arrelious Benn, Illinois<br />WR - Greg Orton, Purdue<br />TE/SB - Travis Beckum, Wisconsin<br />OT - Alex Boone, Ohio State<br />OG - Steve Rehring, Michigan<br />C - AQ Shipley, Penn State<br />OG - Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin<br />OT - Eric Vanden Heuvel, Wisconsin<br /><br />1st Team All-Big Ten Defense<br />DE- Greg Middleton, Indiana<br />DE - Maurice Evans, Penn State<br />DT - Terrance Taylor, Michigan<br />DT - Mitch King, Iowa<br />LB - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State<br />LB - Marcus Freeman, Ohio State<br />LB - Anthony Heygood, Purdue<br />S - Anthony Scirrotto, Penn State<br />S - Anderson Russell, Ohio State<br />CB - Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State<br />CB - Vontae Davis, Illinois<br /><br />K - Austin Starr, Indiana<br />PR - Marcus Thigpen, Indiana<br />P - Jeremy Boone, Penn State</blockquote><br /><br />Look familiar? It should, if you've read <a href="http://www.philsteele.com/FBS%20Info/08%20All%20Conf/bigten.html">Phil Steele</a>. Here are the positions at which the Big Ten Bloggers differ from Mr. Steele: one of two offensive tackles and punt returner. We really blazed a courageous new trail there, didn't we? Differing on two positions that are tough to gauge with an expert eye let alone as the amateurs we are points to one of two things: (a) we're really damn uncreative or (b) this is going to be one predictable, boring year for the Big Ten.<br /><br />I know I haven't posted for some time, and I know that a good number of my picks coincide with Phil's as well. I'm not singling anybody out here, I'm criticizing the group as a whole: when the inevitable bloggers-versus-MSM thing arises, it's stuff like this that gets pointed out -- that the bloggers are recyclers, rehashers ... even plagiarists. We need to offer something new.<br /><br />And it's entirely possible that we have. Maybe, like the BlogPoll, the sum total of these picks winds up looking like the same thing the MSM churns out, but it arises from a wonderful array of differences in opinion. Not many invididual ballots have been posted yet, so it's impossible to say at the moment. But do keep in mind, bloggers, that our niche is the original, the minute. We sate the cravings of those who want to know more. More than USA Today, more than your local sports section, sometimes even more than your own athletic department is giving away. Giving away what Steele gave away weeks ago won't cut it.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-12027427051288114852008-06-18T17:27:00.003-05:002008-06-18T18:35:25.393-05:002008 Big Ten Football Preseason All-Conference TeamIt's a Northwestern football fan's favorite time of year -- the preseason, when they haven't yet been torched by Duke and spirits aren't quite at Carrie Nation-era lows in Evanston (har!) As such, <a href="http://www.laketheposts.com/">Lake the Posts</a> is going full throttle and has tasked the Big Ten Bloggers to come up with their picks for preseason all-conference teams. Here are mine (I didn't pick special teams because that's really out of my realm):<br /><br /><b>2008 Big Ten College Football Preseason All-Conference Selections<br /><br />Offense</b>:<br /><br /><b>Quarterback</b>: Todd Boeckman, Ohio State<br /><b>Running back</b>: Beanie Wells, Ohio State<br /><b>Running back</b>: PJ Hill, Wisconsin<br /><b>Receiver</b>: Brian Hartline, Ohio State<br /><b>Receiver</b>: Greg Mathews, Michigan<br /><b>Receiver</b>: Arrelious Benn, Illinois<br /><b>Tight End</b>: Travis Beckum, Wisconsin<br /><b>Center</b>: AQ Shipley, Penn State<br /><b>Guard</b>: Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin<br /><b>Guard</b>: Steve Rehring, Ohio State<br /><b>Tackle</b>: Alex Boone, Ohio State<br /><b>Tackle</b>: Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin<br /><br /><i>Easiest picks:</i> The easiest pick here was Beckum. It's still a mystery to me why he's back in Madison this year; did the draft analysts really believe he would fall past the first round? Maybe if Beckum builds up sufficient hype he could be a top-five kind of guy this year. Beyond that, Wells was a no-brainer and Shipley, Urbik, and Boone are coming off of all-conference seasons.<br /><br /><i>Toughest picks:</i> I didn't have solid answers for the receiving corps. Arrelious Benn was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last year despite having Juice Williams throwing to him and playing on a team that had Rashard Mendenhall eating up touches. He could absolutely blow up this year. Greg Mathews looks ready to continue the unbroken line of astounding Michigan receivers (how far back can YOU go? Manningham, Avant, Edwards, Walker, Terrell ...), leaving room for only one pick between Ohio State's duo of Robiskie and Hartline. Also, this appears to be very much a down year at the quarterback position the Big Ten. A lot of people are probably going to wind up picking Curtis Painter as their first-teamer, but I just can't put my faith in a guy who routinely leads his team to late-season meltdowns. Since the other names up for consideration are Juice Williams, Kellen Lewis, and CJ Bacher, I went with Boeckman, a man whose job won't even be secure if Terrelle Pryor lives up to the hype immediately. People might also take issue with PJ Hill, especially since UW has four proven running backs returning this year, but the (presumably) popular pick of Javon Ringer smells distinctly of tokenism to me.<br /><br /><b>Defense</b>: <br /><br /><b>End</b>: Maurice Evans, Penn State<br /><b>End</b>: Greg Middleton, Indiana<br /><b>Tackle</b>: Terrence Taylor, Michigan<br /><b>Tackle</b>: Mitch King, Iowa<br /><b>Linebacker</b>: Jonathon Casillas, Wisconsin<br /><b>Linebacker</b>: James Laurinaitis, Ohio State<br /><b>Linebacker</b>: Marcus Freeman, Ohio State<br /><b>Linebacker</b>: Martez Wilson, Illinois<br /><b>Cornerback</b>: Malcom Jenkins, Ohio State<br /><b>Cornerback</b>: Donovan Warren, Michigan<br /><b>Safety</b>: Anthony Scirrotto, Penn State<br /><b>Safety</b>: Stevie Brown, Michigan<br /><br /><I>Easiest picks</I>: Laurinaitis, of course. And the entire defensive line: three first-team all-conference picks return, and the guy who wasn't first team, Taylor, was a second-teamer. Those are big dudes who want to devour you.<br /><br /><I>Toughest picks</i>: I engaged in a little homerism putting the mildly-inconsistent-but-improving Casillas on my list. I'm not sure there's a consensus #2 cornerback in the conference so I think I'm sticking my neck out a little bit by tapping Donovan Warren. Indeed, it seems like almost all of the talent among the deep men has departed the Big Ten, as I was positively scrambling to choose safeties. Could be a big year for airing the ball out in the Big Ten with inexperienced secondaries appearing to be the rule.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-82829682992792556172008-06-11T10:27:00.003-05:002008-06-11T11:34:07.979-05:002008 Badger Football -- a very early look at the offenseThe preseason college rags are hitting the shelves at the local stores, and with the Stanley Cup Finals over, another middling effort by the Brewers, and the unwatchable NBA doing what it does worst, a guy's mind focuses solely college football season, due to start less than three months from now.<br /><br />If you thought last year was a big question mark for the Badgers, (1) you were right and (2) hold on to your hats this year. Much like last season, the Badgers are going to rely on an unproven senior at quarterback with Allan Evridge becoming the starter. Thus far, some have deigned to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/27891-Which-Team-Has-The-Best-Quarterback-Situation-In-College-Football-">term him "horrific"</a> based on his completion percentage over twelve tries -- that's what the best analysts do, right?<br /><br />But more likely, the former Kansas State starter will be the latest in a line of Badger quarterbacks that competently hand off to <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=418949">PJ Hill</a> and make the safe throw to Travis Beckum while occasionally lobbing a bomb (and even more occasionally completing said bombs). I don't expect Evridge to cost the Badgers any games but I don't expect him to steal any extra victories either.<br /><br />So it goes with this program until we get back to having multi-year starters. Caretakers at QB is the story of the recent very-good-but-not-great Badgers. Maybe this <a href="http://blogs.jsonline.com/badgers/archive/2008/05/23/more-on-budmayr.aspx">Jon Budmayr</a> kid is the answer to that problem.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-33425977520242162652008-06-09T00:33:00.004-05:002008-06-09T00:59:29.226-05:00Former Badgers Chelios and Rafalski win the Stanley Cup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1lrir9k0bhg/SEzDxiMDMYI/AAAAAAAAADE/ww051fJjFeE/s1600-h/rafalski.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1lrir9k0bhg/SEzDxiMDMYI/AAAAAAAAADE/ww051fJjFeE/s320/rafalski.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209754124719174018" /></a><br />On Wednesday, two former Badgers were part of the latest class to be immortalized by having their names engraved on (frankly) the coolest trophy in all of sports: the Stanley Cup. With the Detroit Red Wings' thrilling Game 6 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Brian Rafalski and Chris Chelios both became three-time Stanley Cup Champions.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1lrir9k0bhg/SEzA4F0TBQI/AAAAAAAAAC8/RFHOZqImM0g/s1600-h/badgers_cup.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1lrir9k0bhg/SEzA4F0TBQI/AAAAAAAAAC8/RFHOZqImM0g/s320/badgers_cup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209750938827556098" /></a>Rafalski had a stellar postseason, putting up 14 points, which included two huge goals in the Stanley Cup Finals: the first was the would-be game (and series!) winner in Game 5. Rafalski put it in with 10:37 to go in the game, but as the Detroit fans readied themselves for a celebration, Chris Osgood allowed Maxime Talbot to sneak one by him with just 35 seconds to go in regulation. Pittsburgh wound up winning the game hours later in the third overtime, forcing Game 6. Rafalski opened the scoring in Game 6 with a power play goal just five minutes after the game began, and a couple hours later the Wings hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup for the eleventh time in franchise history.<br /><br />Chelios played the best hockey of any 46-year-old in the playoffs, but ultimately coach Mike Babcock elected to bench him as a healthy scratch starting with the last game of the Western Conference Finals. Nonetheless, Chelios's contributions in the postseason did not go unnoticed, and his name will be engraved again on the Cup. He also made another contribution to the Cup when <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-stanleycup-dent&prov=ap&type=lgns">it suffered a minor dent at his restaurant</a>. Apparently that's been repaired and does not require <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/SPORTS05/80606011/1053/SPORTS05">the healing expertise of Dr. Cox</a>.<br /><br />Congrats to these two Badgers on leading their team to the promised land.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-50541008241069208842008-04-13T14:53:00.003-05:002008-04-13T15:12:06.850-05:00Sweet but not Elite<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VpomRNLTYvA&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VpomRNLTYvA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />The methodical first-round victory over Cal State-Fullerton was an unremarkable feat. The second-round scorching of Michael Beasley and Kansas State raised the hopes and expectations of Badger fans. And then Wisconsin ran into Stephen Curry and his friends from Davidson, and the season ended abruptly in Detroit.<br /><br />What more can you say? Sports fans are greedy; they always want more. At the beginning of the season, I was prepared for a rebuilding year -- losing Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor, you had to expect a sub-par performance. All I was hoping for was securing that tenth straight NCAA tournament bid and waiting for next year, when we would unseat Michigan State or Indiana -- you know, whoever won the Big Ten title. Then, as the Badgers continued to win, I changed my mind: anything less than a Sweet Sixteen would be a disappointment for this cohesive group of genuine team players. Finally, as UW started to accumulate hardware, I thought to myself, "You know, with a break or two, this team could be in the Final Four ... or even ..."<br /><br />But it was not to be. Stephen Curry and his third straight 30+ point game saw to that. And so we were able to watch Kansas hold off feisty Davidson, move on to the #1 seed-stocked Final Four, and eventually best Memphis, dragging the Tigers down by the throat after a couple of -- who could've seen that coming? -- missed free throws.<br /><br />The point: this was an excellent season of Wisconsin basketball. Over 30 wins again, survival till the second weekend of the NCAA tournament, and hardware galore. However, the monkey on Bo Ryan's back is getting bigger: why do Wisconsin's conference championship teams make such abbreviated postseason runs? It's a question we'll need to deal with eventually; nobody knows how many conference titles you've won as long as you're bowing out against the likes of Davidson and UNLV. Extended runs in the Big Dance is what is keeping this program from getting to the next level. Frankly, until the Badgers make it to back-to-back Sweet Sixteens or further, the "No Respect!" that we hear so much about is richly deserved.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-50270212051041221732008-03-18T20:00:00.002-05:002008-03-18T20:02:56.587-05:00How Wisconsin wound up with a #3 seedAccording to an interview with Steve Lavin and Brent Musburger during the play-in game (Mount Saint Mary's versus Coppin State), Selection Committee Chair Tom O'Connor said that Wisconsin wound up with a #3 seed because they were comparing Duke and UW and Duke beat the Badgers head-to-head.<br /><br />No word on why Wisconsin's head-to-head win over Texas wasn't considered.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-81665944692448842932008-03-18T17:27:00.002-05:002008-03-18T18:11:14.163-05:00NCAA Tournament: Pod Preview<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.firgelliauto.com/images/mb2%20BRACKET.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.firgelliauto.com/images/mb2%20BRACKET.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><b>#3 Wisconsin vs. #14 California State-Fullerton</b>: the Badgers will tip off against the Titans of Cal State-Fullerton at about 8:40 pm (Central) on Thursday night. So you don't need to take the day off of work in order to see Wisconsin play! (Operative word being NEED, of course. Go ahead and do it anyway. I am.)<br /><br />With any luck, baseball power CSF won't be much of a challenge on the hardcourt for UW. They're not going to get much of a preview here. They've made it to the NCAA tournament just once, in 1978. And guess what? That year they <a href="http://fullertontitans.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031708aad.html">made it all the way to the Final Four</a>. They were the Big West champs this year, and they boast a 24-8 record -- but those 8 losses include defeats at the hands of Pacific, Wright State, Central Michigan, and two to UC-Santa Barbara. CSF was a midmajor team that avoided scheduling major powers and as such wasn't much of a punching bag. They did put up a fight against St. Mary's, the ten-seed in the South, leading by five in the second half until the Gaels came into their own and wound up taking over en route to a ten-point margin of victory. <a href="http://nittanywhiteout.com">Nittany White-Out</a> is doing the cheering-for-the-conference thing and has <a href="http://nittanywhiteout.blogspot.com/2008/03/breaking-down-madness-part-iii.html">compared Cal State-Fullerton to Wisconsin</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>This is an easy game to predict. Wisconsin has a knack for slowing down fast-paced offenses ... 70 would be a good benchmark for CS-Fullerton to aim for. Unfortunately for them, 70 against Wisconsin’s defense would be like running into a brick wall blindfolded. Mark it down. A blowout unwatchable game for the Badgers in Round 1.</blockquote><br /><br /><b>#6 USC vs. #11 Kansas State</b>: Much has been written about this matchup. As Colin Cowherd stated yesterday on his occasionally-decent radio show, it's good TV: Mayo vs. Beasley. Two mercenaries who could be commanding NBA money at this time next year. (In Mayo's case, of course, since he's at USC there's a chance he's pulling in an NBA-style salary right now. But that's neither here nor there.) I know next to nothing about this matchup, but you ought to read what <a href="http://www.scoresreport.com/2008/03/18/four-interesting-first-round-match-ups/">people who might</a> <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/13410-College_Basketball-USC_Basketball-USC_Basketball_Says_I_ll_be_your_Cinderella_">have some idea</a> <a href="http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/16/usc-kansas-state-o-j-mayo-takes-on-michael-beasley-in-ncaa-tou/">what they're talking about</a> with regard to this matchup. As an added bonus, here's a piece on <a href="http://www.thebuckychannel.com/2008/03/how-do-badgers-hypothetically-match-up.html">a hypothetical matchup</a> between Wisconsin and Kansas State.<br /><br /><b>My bracket says</b>: Take the favorites through the entire pod. UW to the Sweet Sixteen via two school from SoCal.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-89242766684660910132008-03-16T21:52:00.003-05:002008-03-16T22:04:28.778-05:00Not in love with the #3 seedNot because it's a #3 seed -- that's fine. We had our shot at a #2 last year and that went horribly, maybe the change of scenery at #3 will be helpful. But that's one hell of a 6/11 matchup we're looking at; either we get Mayo (20.8 ppg) and USC or Beasley (26.5 ppg, 12.4 rpg) and Kansas State. Still, these stars are just freshmen, and with an experienced senior like Michael Flowers taking responsibility for these stars, there's a pretty good chance for UW to make the Sweet Sixteen. I'll say it's a 98% chance to win against Cal State-Fullerton and 60% to move on to the next weekend. Choosing between Gonzaga, Davidson, and Georgetown is no fun, but I do think Georgetown is ripe for the picking. An Elite Eight would be an incredible achievement for the team that was supposed to finish fifth in the conference.<br /><br />That said, I believe that despite their lower seeds, Michigan State and Purdue have easier opposition on their way to the second weekend (high seeds they'll face will be #4 Pitt and #3 Xavier, respectively). Poor Indiana got hosed, not just with an 8-seed, but drawing UNC in the first weekend? Ugh. Really thought the Buckeyes were going to make the field too. Can we blame Georgia for that? I'd like to blame Georgia. Tough break for Matta's crew. I guess they did need a Big Ten Tournament win after all.<br /><br />Let's not speak of the hockey team. If they luck into a postseason berth it'll be a miracle -- and their stay will be brief. You drop one game to St. Cloud in your last fifteen tries and then get SWEPT in the WCHA playoffs? Pathetic.<br /><br />Anyway ... hoops on Thursday and Saturday this weekend. Go Badgers!Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-59368596326533565962008-03-16T05:09:00.003-05:002008-03-16T05:48:53.762-05:00Badgers overcome Spartans, officiating<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/137765d7-2a70-4fa6-990d-1289c22abcba.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 356px;" src="http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/137765d7-2a70-4fa6-990d-1289c22abcba.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />49 fouls. 56 free throws. <a href="http://spartansweblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/what-is-there-to-say/">Four Spartans fouling out</a>. Three fouls called on three-point attempts (two of which actually sunk, leading to four-point plays). This is what the Big Ten puts forth when the entire nation is watching? Seriously? Ed Hightower and his gang of whistle-blowing goons ought to be ashamed. LET THEM PLAY, guys. LET THEM PLAY.<br /><br />49 fouls, and though 30 went against Michigan State, the biggest of the game by far was the first whistle of the second half. That one that sent Michael Flowers to the bench just 32 seconds after intermission. After his departure, the Spartans ran their lead from 29-27 to 39-29, and it looked like it was going to be an ugly afternoon for Wisconsin. With Flowers restricted in his defensive duties, Spartan sharpshooter Drew Neitzel had a field day; the kid that Flowers shut down at the Kohl Center mere weeks ago had every opportunity to pick and choose, and he made good.<br /><br />On an afternoon when the Badgers shot just 37% from the field, free throws kept them alive, and even those didn't go smoothly; Brian Butch missed four straight, the normally ultra-reliable Jason Bohannon missed both of his in the closing seconds -- shots that would've taken the margin from 2 to 4 in the last possession of the game.<br /><br />Make no mistake, the Spartans were the number one contributors to their own demise. (And make no mistake: anything that brings on a good old-fashioned Tom Izzo whinefest is a good thing.) It was made clear early on that <a href="http://badgercentric.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-like-beating-michigan-state.html">the officials were going to blow plays dead</a> at every opportunity, and Michigan State failed to adjust their style of play. The end result: all three of their big men -- Ibok, Suton, and Naymick -- fouled out in a 56-second span in the second half, forcing MSU to match smaller players up with the likes of Brian Butch.<br /><br />An unfortunate consequence of this game was the potential loss of Trevon Hughes, who's now being called a <a href="http://blogs.jsonline.com/badgers/archive/2008/03/15/hughes-will-be-game-time-decision-uw-faces-illinois-in-big-ten-final.aspx">game-time decision</a>. The Badgers shouldn't need him today, but they will absolutely require him through the NCAA tournament. He was spotted <a href="http://badgercentric.blogspot.com/2008/03/walking-boot-for-hughes.html">wearing a walking boot</a>. As far as I'm concerned, it would be better for the Badgers to lose today without him than risk further injury and bow out early from the Big Dance as a result of his absence.<br /><br />So now the Badgers get Illinois in the final game. The ten seed in the Big Ten Tournament, doesn't a part of you want to see the Illini win and get the auto-bid? But there's so much at stake here to root for something like that. If MSU had pulled it out yesterday, yeah, I'm cheering for the Illini all the way. It would be much better, though, to see the Badgers put two trophies in the case before the Big Dance even starts, and to cling to the dream that maybe they'll have to make room for a third.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-73134666347848816482008-03-14T21:31:00.003-05:002008-03-14T21:36:45.768-05:00Badger Hockey puts one foot in graveHome ice would've been nice. The Badgers went on the road and were shut out by St. Cloud State tonight, 3-0. This marked the first postseason shutout for the Badgers since 1997. 88% of teams who win the first game of a WCHA postseason series wind up advancing to the Final Five, so the Badgers have their work cut out for them. Just a couple items here from <a href="http://ciskie.blogspot.com/2008/03/wcha-playoff-preview-round-one.html">Minnesota-Duluth radio dude Bruce Ciskie</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>Wisconsin needs to win this series to get in the NCAAs in all likelihood, as they are firmly on the bubble right now. With Boston University, UMD, and Notre Dame - among others - knocking on the door, Bucky better find a way to win two games this weekend, or the Kohl Center may end up being mighty empty in two weeks.<br /><br />...<br /><br />If you're a UMD fan, root for ... SCSU [to beat] Wisconsin. A sweep and a UMD sweep likely would swing the UMD/UW PWR comparison for UMD.</blockquote><br /><br />Uh oh.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-72844756519440845112008-03-14T21:20:00.002-05:002008-03-14T21:31:16.618-05:00Badgers will meet the Spartans tomorrowThe Big Ten Tournament -- which is apparently the <a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/story/2008/3/14/105119/946">worst ever</a> -- rolls on, and the Badgers will get their chance to put together the State of Michigan Sweep tomorrow when they take on Michigan State. The tip is at 12:40 pm (Central time) and the game will be aired on CBS, not the Big Ten Network. I emphasize that because the BTN stole another one from the general viewing public tonight when it kept 10-seed Illinois's victory over #2 Purdue off of most cable systems. (Props to one Purdue blog for <a href="http://boilermakerfootballblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/boilers-tip-off-big-ten-tourney-play.html">foreseeing trouble</a> when Penn State didn't off the Illini.)<br /><br />Michigan State advanced due to a <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2008/03/neitzels-28-put-buckeyes-back-on-bubble.html">rare (in 2008) virtuoso performance from Drew Neitzel</a>. Michael Flowers is going to have to <a href="http://badgersportsfan.blogspot.com/2008/02/wisconsin-57-michigan-state-42-thats.html">shut Neitzel down again</a>. He'll be up to the challenge after hounding Manny Harris all day today. With any luck Brian Butch will stay true to his style of play and not come out timid after his bout of foul trouble today. Bo Ryan will have the opportunity to boost his <a href="http://badgersportsfan.blogspot.com/2008/02/badger-basketball-takes-on-sparta.html">record against Tom Izzo</a> to a gaudy 11-3 with a victory ... and I believe he'll get it.<br /><br />Final score: Wisconsin 61, Michigan State 55.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-73108652169719868542008-03-14T14:20:00.002-05:002008-03-14T14:35:53.079-05:00Badgers dominate Michigan in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1lrir9k0bhg/R9rQbeQCE0I/AAAAAAAAAC0/TWxv-QyQBcw/s1600-h/bilde.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1lrir9k0bhg/R9rQbeQCE0I/AAAAAAAAAC0/TWxv-QyQBcw/s320/bilde.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177679892011160386" /></a><br /><br />The gameplan for defeating the 2008 Michigan Wolverines is uncomplicated: stop Manny Harris. Michael Flowers did just that, and the end result was <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/SPORTS06/80314042">defensive dominance</a>: Michigan <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=280740275">shot 20% from the field</a>, which was actually improved by UM's 6-for-24 performance from beyond the arc. That's right: the Wolverines were 4-for-26 on 2-point attempts, a dismal 15.4%. That pathetic rate led to a record-low performance; till today, no team had ever finished a Big Ten Tournament game with fewer than 40 points.<br /><br />Some will exclaim, "surely you can't be referring to a 51-point effort as dominance!" Oh, but I can. Much of that was due to Ed Hightower's fondness for whistling Brian Butch early and often, limiting the Polar Bear to 16 minutes on the floor.<br /><br />Now we wait for the winner of the Michigan State/Ohio State game. I think Michigan State is the better matchup for the Badgers, so that's who I'm cheering for.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-65023697167803538602008-03-13T21:51:00.004-05:002008-03-13T21:54:16.042-05:00Bracket tip courtesy of the Big East TournamentPick all of these teams to bow out early because they ain't that good. West Virginia squeaks by Providence and they're a lock all of a sudden? Seriously? And the Big Ten is the conference that's "down?"<br /><br />If that conference gets two teams to the Sweet Sixteen it'll be a miracle.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-20086036034796221942008-03-13T16:25:00.003-05:002008-03-13T16:45:24.484-05:00Wisconsin will face Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament<b>Early this afternoon, the Michigan Wolverines outsmacked Iowa</b> in the opening game of the Big Ten Tournament, coming away with a glorious 55-47 victory. And by glorious I clearly mean <a href="http://www.umhoops.com/2008/03/13/big-ten-tournament-thursday/">stupefyingly dull</a>; 12 minutes with a field goal? COMBINED?! Wow. Maize 'N' Brew talks about the Wolverines running their victory total to the double digits and the privilege of <a href="http://maizenbrew.com/story/2008/3/13/16350/9854">facing the Badgers tomorrow</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>On a positive note, this is Michigan's first Big Ten tournament win under Beilein and it ensures Michigan will finish the season with double digits in the win column. Michigan also has the good fortune of drawing Wisconsin, a team it scared the holy hell out of two months ago, as its next opponent. During the teams' second meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan came within three points of topping the then 11th ranked Badgers. This is even more remarkable when you consider the Badgers shot 60% from the floor during the second half, and they almost lost. Good sign? Maybe. You can take it for what its worth.<br /><br />As much as I'd like to say it's a good omen, Michigan lost its next three games in embarrassing fashion, including a double digit home loss to Minnesota. Looking back Michigan lost the season's first meeting with Wisconsin by 16. Further, the Badgers shot just over or just under 50% against Michigan in both games. Better defense or not, Wisconsin isn't going to pull an Iowa and shoot 32%FG and 12% from three. No one should be holding their breath for an upset.</blockquote><br /><br />Pardon my discouraging tone but despite the near upset, this is not going to be pretty for Michigan. Not in the slightest. At least the Michigan fans can enjoy the victory and the fact that beating Iowa produces <a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/story/2008/3/13/15651/0235">outbursts like this</a> from BHGP.<br /><br /><b>Looking ahead</b>, the Prospector (author of the <a href="http://cardinalandwhite.blogspot.com/">Cardinal and White Chronicles</a>) engages in some amateur bracketology <a href="http://cardinalandwhite.blogspot.com/2008/03/fun-with-bracketology.html">here</a> and <a href="http://cardinalandwhite.blogspot.com/2008/03/more-fun-with-bracketology.html">here</a>) in order to make a case for the Badgers to get a #2 seed in the Big Dance; he winds up making the case for the other team in both cases. So it goes. Being the top #3 seed puts UW closer (geographically) to Madison for the Regional round, which is a bonus.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-4969476618943391632008-03-12T21:18:00.005-05:002008-03-12T22:09:34.543-05:00The run-up to Big Ten Tournament time<b>Nerdy graphs</b>: KJ at the excellent <a href="http://spartansweblog.wordpress.com/">Spartans Weblog</a> revels in his nerdery, and why not? After all, it can produce <a href="http://spartansweblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/conference-season-review-polynomial-based-trendline-style/">super informative third-order polynomial plots!</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>The idea is to smooth out individual game performance to see the general direction a team’s performance seemed to be moving in at a given point in the season. Intuitively, this should tell us whether a team is on the upswing or downswing as the regular season ends–although I can’t definitively say the method is predictive. I should also note there are a couple flaws in this approach:<br /><br /> * It doesn’t account for quality of opposition–an upward trend could represent a grouping of weak opponents on the schedule (or vice versa).<br /> * It doesn’t account for home/away game. Other than the occasional three-game bunch of home or away games for a particular team, though, the home/away factor should be smoothed out by the trendlines in most cases.</blockquote><br /><br />As expected, the Badgers come up with the best graph:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://spartansweblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/b10-efficiency-trend-graphs_2992_image001.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 474px;" src="http://spartansweblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/b10-efficiency-trend-graphs_2992_image001.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Essentially, if your team is improving, you'll see that blue line start trending up and the red move down. And does it ever in the Badgers' case! KJ is careful to note that this may be misleading, as the Penn State and Northwestern massacres are likely pulling those curves apart artificially, but any time you can get a Spartan fan to call your team's performance "frightening," you're definitely getting somewhere.<br /><br /><b>What they're saying about the Big Ten Tournament</b>: Obviously the time for prognostication is upon us. Here are some selected takes:<br /><br /><li><a href="http://fromthebarn.org/">From the Barn</a> sees <a href="http://fromthebarn.org/2008/03/12/big-ten-tournament-predictions/">Purdue over Wisconsin</a> in the final</li><br /><li>Purdue fans at <a href="http://boilermakerfootballblog.blogspot.com/">Off the Tracks</a> have that same machup but believe <a href="http://boilermakerfootballblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/big-ten-tournament-primer.html">the Badgers will finally best Purdue</a></li><br /><li>Statistical guru Ken Pomeroy lays out odds that would cry out for calls of homerism if I generated them: <a href="http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=233">the Badgers have a 56%(!) chance of winning the Big Ten Tournament</a>, a 72.6% chance of making the finals, and a frickin' 95.8% chance of beating the winner of the Iowa/Michigan game. Does that sound absurdly high to anyone else? I mean, you're telling me that if Wisconsin and Iowa or Michigan play 20 times, the Badgers win 19? Really?</li><br /><li>In the name of <a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/storyonly/2008/3/1/91049/14121">Marchifornication</a>, the Hawkeye geniuses behind BHGP have <a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/storyonly/2008/3/11/171055/334">a sample bracket up</a>, and ... hey, wait a minute ...</li><br /><li>Memorable occasions that usually involve Badger losses are recounted at Ohio State's <a href="http://www.buckeyecommentary.com/files/havent-we-met-before.html#unique-entry-id-930">Buckeye Commentary</a></li><br /><br /><B>So what's really going to happen during the Big Ten Tournament?</b> Glad you asked; my picks are up in the comments at Spartans Weblog where I am going to <a href="http://spartansweblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/step-right-up-and-win-a-t-shirt/">win a sweet frickin' t-shirt</a>:<br /><br /><b>DAY ONE</b><br /><li><i>Iowa over Michigan</i>: The two most plodding offenses in the conference waddle to a combined 70 points. Iowa wins by two, which would pretty much be a blowout</li><br /><li><i>Illinois over Penn State</i>: The Lions got their big season-ending win against IU. There's nothing left in the tank. The walking wounded have a LONG trip to the tournament and will have a longer one home.</li><br /><li><i>Minnesota over Northwestern</i>: Their opponent isn't Michigan, so the Wildcats can't win.</li><br /><br /><b>DAY TWO</b><br /><li><i>Wisconsin over Iowa</i>: Too many weapons. Iowa can't overcome the all-out attack the rested, healthy Badgers have planned. Michael Flowers blocks five shots.</li><br /><li><i>Ohio State over Michigan State</i>: MSU is in the Dance; the Buckeyes might be. The desperate Bucks pull away late, much like they did on Sunday, which shocks exactly nobody as the Spartans have been horrendous (3-6) away from East Lansing against Big Ten foes</li><br /><li><i>Purdue over Illinois</i>: With a week to go in the regular season, the Boilermakers thought they were going to be Big Ten Champions. That melted away and now they're on a mission of vengeance. Illinois is unceremoniously shoved out of the way.</li><br /><li><i>Indiana over Minnesota</i>: I want to pick the Gophers, but the tournament's located in the state of Indiana so I just can't do it. The Hoosiers have the talent to win and the crowd will be behind them, but the contrast between the mess Kelvin Sampson made and the rock-solid foundation Tubby Smith is laying couldn't be more stark. If this is in Chicago I pick the Gophers without hesitation.</li><br /><br /><b>DAY THREE</b><br /><li><i>Wisconsin over Ohio State</i>: The Badgers avenge last year's embarrassing tournament loss by getting their second win over the Buckeyes in 2008.</li><br /><li><i>Purdue over Indiana</i>: The Battle for the State of Indiana finally turns Purdue's way as an uninspired, undercoached Hoosier squad comes out flat.</li><br /><br /><b>DAY FOUR: TITLE GAME</b><br /><li><i>Purdue over Wisconsin</i>: Purdue has been the monkey on the Badgers' back, and UW's futility when the train-guys show up continues. Purdue's frustrating defense makes the difference and the Boilermakers hoist a trophy after all.</li>Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-86547558113367247142008-03-11T06:35:00.004-05:002008-03-11T08:37:13.244-05:00Post-season awards and tournament projections<b>When the two groups conflict, choose the media over the coaches.</b> It holds true in polling, unfortunately -- the Badgers are <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings">#6 in the eyes of the coaches</a> (or whoever's actually submitting ballots on their behalf) and #8 in the AP. Those single-digit numbers have been deemed <a href="http://cardinalandwhite.blogspot.com/2008/03/rankings-and-bracketology.html">"glorious"</a> by most.<br /><br /><b>Wisconsin's a major conference champ</b> that's ranked in the top 8 by everyone, so that should be a #2 seed all the way, right? <a href="http://blogs.jsonline.com/badgers/archive/2008/03/10/rankings-projections-heading-into-big-ten-tourney.aspx">Wrong</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>The Sporting News' Ryan Fagan has Wisconsin as ... a 3 seed, of course.</blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/c/cd/180px-BuckyBadger.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px;" src="http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/c/cd/180px-BuckyBadger.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology">Joe Lunardi</a> had the Badgers in as a #2 before his last update, when he bumped them to a #3 in favor of <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=46">Georgetown</a>. I guess that's what a season-ending win over the second-place team in the Big East to secure an outright conference title will do for you. Still no explanation (outside of the ESPN premium channels, anyway) for why the Big XII gets two #2 seeds in Kansas and Texas, especially when Texas (1) has 5 losses to Wisconsin's 4 and (2) was <a href="http://www.burntorangenation.com/storyonly/2007/12/30/132527/68">beaten head-to-head by the Badgers</a>. It would be nice for UW if Kansas, Texas, or Duke would bow out really early in their respective conference tournaments.<br /><br /><b>The all-conference teams are out</b>, and as you might expect from a championship team without a superstar, the accolades are numerous but spread out, with Brian Butch garnering first-team standing from the coaches and the media. (And again, this is another opportunity to pound home the sentiment that the media's opinion trumps the coaches; where the coaches put Drew Neitzel of MSU on the first team, <a href="http://hoopsmarinara.blogspot.com/2008/03/all-big-ten-awards-announced.html">the media picked Jamar Butler of Ohio State</a>. Badger fans will still insist that <a href="http://badgercentric.blogspot.com/2008/03/butch-named-all-big-ten.html">such a thing is not exactly right</a> but the post-season award that actually means something is already sitting in a trophy case at the Kohl Center, and that wasn't up to a bunch of half-interested voters.)<br /><br /><b>Is Bo Ryan the class of the Big Ten?</b> Possibly, but that's not going far enough for John Gasaway -- he taps Bo as <a href="http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=223">National Coach of the Decade</a>!Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-8569330109524668972008-03-10T17:33:00.003-05:002008-03-10T17:37:40.461-05:00Brett Favre: a career in video gamesOf all the encomiums to our venerable former quarterback, <a href="http://sports.ign.com/articles/858/858013p1.html">this one</a> might just be the most offbeat. (via <a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2008/03/10/extra-points/6184/">Football Outsiders</a>)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sportsmedia.ign.com/sports/image/article/858/858013/brett-favre-20080310094121907.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 440px;" src="http://sportsmedia.ign.com/sports/image/article/858/858013/brett-favre-20080310094121907.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-66200627525517496332008-03-10T14:47:00.003-05:002008-03-10T14:53:03.270-05:00Ticket info for St. Cloud StateThanks to intrepid reader Brent for bringing this up: there is no UW allotment for tickets for this weekend's WCHA playoff series at St. Cloud State. However, all seats at their rink are $12 reserved. You can get <a href="http://www.stcloudstate.edu/athletics/sports/hockey-mens/story.asp?pubID=36&issueID=20449&storyID=25270">ticket info here</a>; the number to call is 1-877-SCSUTIX. A call placed to the ticket office moments ago revealed that despite a flood of calls this morning (which Brent confirmed) the arena is "not close" to being sold out, so if you need to sit on the decision for a couple days you'll probably be OK.<br /><br />Go support the Badgers! See what St. Cloud is all about! Check out <a href="http://www.co.stearns.mn.us/1483.htm">the quarries!</a> Yeah!Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-125917385187294982008-03-09T18:02:00.002-05:002008-03-09T18:17:03.375-05:002008 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket is setMichigan almost kept things interesting this afternoon, but midway through the second half Purdue pulled away and wound up beating the Wolverines, securing the #2 seed in the <a href="http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/big10-08-mbb-tourney-central.html">conference tourney</a> as a result. Michigan will play #8 seed Iowa at 11 am on Thursday to tip this thing off, and the Badgers will play the winner of that match on Friday at 11 am. <br /><br />Click the image below to get your full-sized graphical version of the tournament bracket, presented in handy .jpg form for better desktop-wallpaper purposes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2012/2321784497_673547ee2a_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1lrir9k0bhg/R9RtjeQCEzI/AAAAAAAAACs/1bQgG9S6v28/s320/2008bracket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175882327938700082" /></a>Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22019405.post-33241678996646982042008-03-08T22:15:00.003-06:002008-03-08T22:26:46.302-06:00Hockey Badgers lose home ice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.collegehockeystats.net/img120/stc120.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px;" src="http://www.collegehockeystats.net/img120/stc120.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Just like last night, North Dakota and St. Cloud State skated to a tie on Saturday, giving St. Cloud one point and putting them in a tie for fourth place in the WCHA with Minnesota State. Since MSU-Mankato went 2-0-0 against St. Cloud, the Mavericks will be the #4 seed and St. Cloud will be #5. That means Wisconsin will be #6 ... and will be riding a bus to St. Cloud, Minnesota, next weekend. If you want to follow the team, just hop on I-94 west and keep going till you're about an hour past the Twin Cities.<br /><br />The Badgers lost their last meeting with the Huskies but were unbeaten in the previous fourteen games in the teams' series. They'll have to win two of three on the road to advance to the <a href="http://www.xcelenergycenter.com/events/detail.jsp?event_id=487">WCHA Final Five</a> in St. Paul which will wrap up two weeks from tonight.Badger Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154094556644664827noreply@blogger.com1